A Spiritual Feat
The renowned Ahlullah (Saint of Allah), Hadhrat Dawood Taai (rahmatullah alayh) giving naseehat to Hadhrat Abu Rabee Waasti (rahmatullah alayh) said: "fast from this world and make iftaar (break the fast) in the Aakhirah and regard Maut (death) as Eid." Siyaam or fasting entails abstention from food, drink and sexual acts from Subh Saadiq to sunset. This is the physical act of the Fasting ibaadat. In his advice, Hadhrat Dawood Taai (rahmatullah alayh) stated the spiritual act of Fasting which entails abstention from this dunya (world). This abstention endures until the Aakhirah which in terms of every human being commences with Maut, hence the spiritual Eid is Maut. Abstention from the world refers to abstention from all things and acts which are of no benefit in the Aakhirah even if permissible. It envisages the expulsion of hubb-e-dunya (love of the world) from the heart. Once the love of the world has been eliminated, the Saalik (the one who journeys towards Allah Ta'ala) will be effectively engaged in the spiritual Fast. He will abstain from not only haraam and mushtabah (doubtful) things, but he will abhor and shun all futile things. Futility to the Saalik is a major and destructive sin. Futility darkens the heart and creates love for the dunya. It detracts the Mu'min from continuing the Journey towards Allah's Proximity. The spiritual Fast is thus essential for the Saalik. The Roohaani (spiritual) Fast is the process of preparation for the Eid of Maut. While most people fear maut, the true Saalik who has acquired a degree of Ma'rifat (Divine Recognition) looks forward with pleasure for the occasion of the spiritual Eid. Since he is in perpetual preparation for the occasion of Maut, he welcomes its
arrival while we, the rank and file, dread Maut. Our dread is on account of our indulgence in worldly love which annihilates all roohaaniyat and introduces spiritual darkness and barrenness into our hearts. Maut is the inescapable truth. It is the inevitable reality which every man must face. It is most unintelligent to banish its remembrance from our hearts and refrain from making preparations for that final event of this earthly sojourn. It is incumbent that every Mu'min makes this preparation his primary goal on earth. All other activities should be assigned secondary and backstage roles. Never should the primary goal be neglected for the sake of promoting worldly pursuits. Those who choose to forget Maut and abandon preparation therefore, will be rudely shocked when its arrival dawns suddenly. But, then it will be too late.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "For the Fasting person there are two moments of pleasure. At the time of Iftaar and at the time of meeting his Rabb (Allah Ta'ala)." The Saalik engaged in the Spiritual Fast throughout his life will experience these wonderful moments at the time of Maut when his Iftaar takes place and in the Aakhirah when he meets his Rabb. While most people cannot engage in the spiritual Fast as the Auliyaa do, the minimum and Waajib degree of the spiritual Fast necessary for every Muslim is abstention from haraam and mushtabah; abstention from all acts which divert the attention from Allah Ta'ala; engagement in all Fardh, Waajib and Sunnat acts oflbaadat; adoption of Rasulullah's Sunnah lifestyle and keeping the tongue fresh with Allah's Thikr in all conditions of life. When the Mu'min adheres at least to this minimum standard, he will meet his Rabb with happiness at the time of Maut.